Two brothers have been arrested for beating their stepfather to death after he allegedly abused their half-sister, police believe.
The Pharr Police Department, Texas, said Alexandro and Christian Trevino, aged 18 and 17 respectively, beat 42-year-old Gabriel Quintanilla and left him for dead. A third person, Juan Eduardo Melendez, aged 18, was also arrested for involvement in the crime.
Quintanilla's body was discovered by a farmer who alerted authorities. The McAllen Police Department arrived at approximately 2:41 p.m. Thursday. The investigation was turned over to the Pharr Police Department the following day. Quintanilla was beaten with brass knuckles and suffered severe head trauma, according to a report by MyRGV News.
On January 20, a 9-year-old child, later to be revealed to be Quintanilla's daughter, alerted someone that Quintanilla had touched her inappropriately. This occurred at an RV park located in the 1200 block of East Moore.
Quintanilla also had a warrant out for the sexual abuse of a different child, police have confirmed.
Pharr Police Deputy Chief Juan Gonzalez held a press conference on January 23 giving details of the incident.
"When the brothers Alexandro and Christian found out, they confronted Gabriel at the residents, and a physical fight ensued between the three," Gonzalez said during the press conference.
He continued: "Quintanilla left the location on foot[...] Christian Trevino runs out after the victim and finds him outside of an apartment complex further south down the road.
"A second assault occurs there and Alexandro Trevino and the driver of a red Dodge Charger, who we have identified as Juan Gonzalez Melendez, catch up to him and again join in on an assault of the victim at that point."
The three suspects left the fight scene and changed vehicles, only to search for the victim again. Police said they found the victim walking along Veterans Road alone and injured from the two previous altercations.
Police say a third attack occurs and the victim, while still alive, is placed in the back of a truck where they drive off to an area in McAllen. Quintanilla was then dropped off in a field, where police say he may still have been alive. Suspects then fled the scene.
All three suspects were arraigned on Sunday. Christian Trevino and Melendez were both charged with capital murder, aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity.
Alexandro Trevino was charged with aggravated assault and engaging in organized criminal activity.
The Pharr Deputy Chief noted that the police department believe they have all the individuals involved in the homicide in custody.
Newsweek has contacted Pharr Police Department for comment.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Gerrard Kaonga is a Newsweek U.S. News Reporter and is based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on U.S. ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
